Lets not get carried away!

So, Ali Al-Faraj has taken control of Pompey and 'a few fires for the next week or two to put out' aside we can now move on again - but I think it is vitally important to revisit the original thoughts that I, and many others had when SAF for came on board, and what we think needs doing.

Peter Storrie has spoken to The News today, and this is what he had to say: 'Ali Al Faraj wants to take the club forward, he wants to build a stadium and training ground and obviously he's got to fight a few fires for the next week or two and put those out.

'Obviously he will look at the team and move the team forwards I'm sure come the January window.'

For me, the priority remains that we get ourselves on an even playing field - we sort out the debt and then get, yep here comes that word again, the infrastructure sorted out.

Of course we could do with some players in January but lets keep these thoughts within a realistic boundary - we will not, or at least should not - be going out and spending copious amounts of money, offering stupid wages will only see us go round in circles, right?

For me, and I could be well off, the priority would be to bring some of the loan players we have in on a permanent basis - offer them the long-term security of a place with us, if they are good enough and committed enough..

Although someone, unless things change between now and January, that I would like us to be spending money on would be an out-and-out goalscoring striker, that would be a priority for me, but as we all know these do not come cheap. Goals win games, and goals are where I still feel we are short.

Also, too much talk of 'new' and 'better' players arriving in January could undo the unity that we have been seeing - if players start thinking 'I will be out the picture in January' they might start thinking 'why bother'...

If is important that we:

· Stabilise the club financially.· Secure our premier league survival.· Get the infrastructure sorted - making us a financially viable outfit, which includes the illusive training ground and redevelopment of Fratton, potentially down the line even the eventual move.

All we, well I know I, want is a stable club - if, in time, this means we can reach heights we were reaching, but in an affordable way, back along so be it but I want to do it the right way and do not want stupid money thrown at mercenaries that do not care - and money that is unsustainable. I am loving the current unity of the side, the 100% commitment, dedication and effort we are seeing so with a little tweak here and there I would be happy to keep things in this vain...

Also, maybe Paul Hart can get his assistant that he wants - perhaps even the issues with Gary Mac, which were not financial or job wise problems, can be sorted out? I would still guess that it was a 'compensation issue', but maybe this might not be as much as an issue as it was?

Finally now though it seems like we do have someone that can back up claims that are made, at least we hope so. We can now, again hopefully, focus purely on what is going on out on the pitch now - without outside distractions and continue to build on last weeks win and climb up the table.

To coin a phrase from one of the guys behind the scenes at Vital Football, Andy, who I have a lot of contact with in my work with Vital, onwards and upwards! Although again, onwards and upwards in the right way without getting carried away!

PLAY UP POMPEY!

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Your Comments (oldest first)

The players are paid which is great ... but I won't believe another 'word' from anybody until I see workmen, diggers and dumper trucks at Fratton Park Horsea Island and Lee on Solent .. Actions speak louder than words..

Same here Chix, until I can see it I won't beleive it. Also is SAf really still gonna put this £50 mil investment into pompey? If Faraj has secured our future then the £50 mil could be the transfer kitty?! To be honest though I agree with whats written in the article and would be happy with the training ground and stadium going forward.
Hopefully good times ahead!
PUP!!!!!!

Assistant manager needs to be sorted out soon. And as for Januray, i feel we dont need to go mental and buy loads of players, maybe the odd good player, but the team at the moment is good anough. But we can improve it a little bit in January.

Totally agree with your article Rug, the word for January perhaps is 'strengthen' - but at least it looks like there will be some transfer kitty in January. Not sure that it's a totally negative thing for the current players though, they like to feel they have a good quality squad around them, otherwise they do a Sol Campbell.

Stablility is essential and it's sound that we may get it, but I completely agree with PompeyRug, we need to sort out a few things like Fratton Park, get Hart an Assistant Manager, and if this means our recent successes will be repeated in the long-term future then so be it, but I would like to see us stay up and stablise mid-table with a good set of players and backroom staff, and then worry about challenging for Europe and top half again.

I think we should stick by Paul Hart as well, at least until the Summer. The squad we have at the moment are there for him and I'm not sure there's many people that could do a better job with the resources he's had to work with. It's clear he has an eye for talent and I think we could see some great players come in in January. Unless our form continues to struggle and we're looking increasingly in danger, he's the man for this season.

Got excited as I thought Al Faraj was name of man who owns minimarket on SHepherd's Bush road, past which I walk on the way to work, but the shop is actually called Al Fajar. Would make sense, though, with his prices to think that he could fund a premiership club with the rake off from his mark ups

Think we need a good few players in january, as the ANC could take up to 3 games without our ever increasing french to african conversions, which will dissimate our squad, especially as its taken 7 games to get off the mark

What would be nice for us Pompey fans would be for Storrie and co to spend within the budget. Then we might not have to worry about whether we have a club to support in five years time. My main worry is the fact that everyone seems to think we need to spend vast amounts of money to buy in players. For one few players will join Pompey if paul hart is in charge and we stay in our current position. Point two is that there are bargains out there to be had, Tamir Cohen cost Bolton 37k for instance. It would be quite nice for Pompey to get Hart back in charge of the youth system which might save us some money in the future as well as having some local talent play for their home town club. How about an international scouting system to pick up young players from abroad? Pompey don't spread their wings enough when it comes to scouting. Udinese in Serie A have long had South and Central America in their pocket when it comes to picking up young talent. Its kept them in Serie A and made them a very healthy profit over the years from transfer fees (Sully Muntari anyone?) and sell on fees. Lets start to live within our means. I don't think many people want us to leave Fratton park and its 20 000 cpacity. if we stay though we need to start spending (or indeed saving) accordingly. For once lets learn from our past mistakes.

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